Newly hired North Texas superintendent earning higher salary than predecessor
Newly hired Keller Superintendent Cory Wilson is earning a higher salary than his predecessor, who resigned earlier this year over a proposal to split the district in half.
Wilson’s salary is $285,000 annually, according to his contract, which was obtained by the Star-Telegram through a records request. Tracy Johnson, who resigned in January, earned $275,000.
The proposal called for the Keller school district to be split in half along U.S. 377, detaching schools in Keller, Colleyville, Southlake and Watauga from the portion of the district in Fort Worth. The proposal to split the district was dropped in March.
Wilson’s contract continues through June 30, 2028.
Wilson was hired July 24 on a 5-0 vote as Charles Randklev and Chris Coker were absent from the meeting.
When Wilson was named as Keller’s lone finalist on June 5, he told the Star-Telegram that he is ready to take on the challenges of leading the school district.
He vowed that he would not “shy away” from challenges of bringing a divided community together.
Wilson, who has a child starting in the seventh grade in the Keller schools, said he has three priorities: re-enforcing academic rigor in the classroom, helping students go beyond the classroom to get involved with sports and other extracurricular activities, and working with parents and guardians to help create a positive environment in the district.
Wilson also faces financial challenges, including maintaining aging campuses, which could mean calling a bond election.
Keller is experiencing enrollment declines, which could mean closing schools.
The district also faces lawsuits over the proposed split. One lawsuit alleges some board members violated the Open Meetings Act when they discussed the split, as early as May 2024.